THE vicar of Middlewich, the Rev Ian Bishop, has taken over as Mid Cheshire's rural dean.

Mr Bishop, 42, will have administrative responsibility for the Middlewich Deanery which stretches from Middlewich itself across to Winsford, Northwich and its surrounding villages.

The position became vacant after Easter when former dean the Rev Michael Ridley, of St Mary's in Weaverham, left to become the vicar of Stockton Heath.

That parish is one of four in the Middlewich Deanery that are currently waiting for a new vicar - St John's in Lostock Gralam and St John's in Sandiway have become vacant due to retirement and St Chad's in Over, Winsford, is still waiting to be filled following the unexpected death of the Rev Glenys Brown last July.

Mr Bishop, who has been a vicar for 14 years, says the unusual number of vacancies is just a fluke.

'While the numbers of people entering the ministry have fallen in the last couple of years, in fact there was a marked increase in the years immediately preceding,' he said.

'I don't think falling numbers is the reason here - it is one of those things that happens, swings and roundabouts.'

Mr Bishop wishes Mr Ridley all the best in his new position and says he is looking forward to the work ahead, which he is doing in addition to his duties at St Michael's in Middlewich.

He said: 'I will be a link between the parishes and the diocese of Chester - I'm a middle man if you like. It's challenging but quite nice to get to go round and see the other parishes.

'With the four parishes that are waiting for a new priest to arrive, I have got to have a much more hands-on role.

'It is down to the churchwardens to look after the parish but if they need help and advice, I'll help where I can'.

Mr Bishop is from the West Country and trained at Oakhill Theological College in London before becoming curate at Christ Church in Purley. He has been rector at St Michael's in Middlewich and St John The Evangelist, in Byley, for nearly four years.